Article May 20, 1939 Issue

Bible Notes

"Beware of false prophets" (Matt. 7:15)—Some commentators contend that the reference to the "false prophets" is to be understood in connection with the preceding verse with its description of the way which is hard to find, pointing out that "the false prophets ... profess to guide ... but for their own advantage" (McNeile: Commentary on Matthew, p. 94).

"There shall not be found among you any one that maketh his son or his daughter to pass through the fire" (Deut. 18:10)—This practice is referred to in several Old Testament passages, and is, in many cases, associated with the rites or ceremonies used in connection with pagan deities (cf. Lev. 18:21); but Dr. S. R. Driver points out that in his view these "allusions are not sufficient to show distinctly either the nature or object of the practices referred to, but it is mentioned here, as the context indicates, not as a form of idolatry, but specifically as a superstition, either ... because it was used for the purpose of obtaining an oracle, or because it was supposed to possess extraordinary efficacy in averting calamity" (Commentary on Deuteronomy, p. 222; compare also II Kings 3:27).

"An observer of times" (Deut. 18:10)—The Hebrew term which is thus translated is derived from a root which means "to practice soothsaying" (Brown, Driver and Briggs: Hebrew Lexicon, p. 778). Consequently Moffatt renders: "who practises ... soothsaying;" though the Revised Version prefers: "one that practiseth augury."

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